Compound steam-engine



(NoModeL) G. B. TURNER.

Compound. Steam Engine.

Patented May3, 1881.

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N. PETERS, FhMO-Liihogmphsr, Washingtfln, D. C,

IliTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER B. TURNER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

COMPOUND STEAM-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,093, dated May 3, 1881.

Application filed January 13, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Onnsrnn B. TURNER, of Detroit, \Vayne county, Michigan, have invented an Improvement in Steam-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

The nature of this invention relates to new and useful improvementsin that class of steamengines known as compound-engines, in which, after the steam has actuated the piston in one cylinder by direct pressure, it is passed into another cylinder, where it actuates its piston by expansion; and itconsists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of parts, as more fully hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

As ordinarily constructed such engines are situated so that the centers or axes of the two cylinders are in direct opposition to each other. so that the two pistons travel simultaneously in the same direction, and are secured to the same piston-rod. In all such engines there are the same difficulties in compelling the crank to pass the centers which exist in all reciprocating engines; and the objectof my invention is to so construct a compound or two cylinder engine that the one cylinder will act as the steam chest for the other; that each cylinder will be provided with a piston and rod, that of one cylinder operating; entirely distinct and separate from that of the other cylinder, but both pistons being connected to the same shaft by independent cranks or other analogous devices so arranged that when one piston is on the half-stroke the other will be on the quarterstroke-or, in other words, that both the cranks will never be on a center at the same time, and that one will always carry the other over the center, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, A represents the cylinder wherein the steam is designed to be used by expansion. This cylinder is provided with a piston, B, rod 0, heads D, cross-head E, and pitman F, connecting by the crank G with the shaft H, and are all of the usual construction, except as hereinafter described.

I is the cylinder in which the steam is employed under pressure. This cylinder may be cast with the cylinder A, or separate and bolted, or otherwise secured tosaid cylinder, and the interiors of the two cylinders are provided with intercommunicating ports a and a.

(No model.)

J is a piston, its center being cut away to form an annular recess, 1), between the wall of the cylinder and the body of the piston. An exhaust, c, communicating with this recess furnishes an exhaust common to both cylinders.

K is the piston-rod, and L the pitman or connecting-rod, with the shaft H, such connection being made by the crank M.

N is the steam-chest, communicating with the cylinder I by the ports (I d and d. This steamchest is provided with the rocking concavo-convex valve 0, operated in the usual way by an eccentric on the main shaft and suitable connections.

In the drawing the piston B is shown at the completion of its upward stroke and the piston J at half its downward stroke, and taking steam through the port d. In the further downward progress of the piston J the ports a vand a will be disclosed, when steam will be admitted through the port a above the piston B, which will now commence its downward stroke, the steam above it exhausting through the port a. into the recess 1), and thence through the exhaust 0. During the downward stroke of the piston J the steam below it exhausts through the ports (1 and (1 into the recess 1) and out at c, which latter is the exhaust-port common to both cylinders.

The operation is so simple that a'l'urtherdescription of its operation is deemed unnecessary.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In acompound engine, the combination, with the low-pressure cylinder A, provided with the ports a a" and exhaust c, of the highpressure cylinder I, serving as a steam-chest, and provided with a piston, J, having a central annular recess, and operating as a valve to control the live and exhaust'steampassages, and the valve 0, all arranged substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. A compound-cylinder en ginc constructed substantially as described, wherein the pistonvalve of the smaller or high-pressure cylinder is connected with the main shaft and adapted to assist the larger or low-pressure cylinder to freely pass the centers, substantially as set forth.

CHESTER B. TURNER.

Witnesses H. S. SPRAGUE, E. SoULLY. 

